Content Test 3

Anyone
who plunked down the cash for a PSP no doubt wants to make that investment last,
so protecting the gorgeous screen from little brothers, pets, and accidents is a
priority. One of the products out there that promises to keep your PSP safe is
the PlayGear Pocket from Logitech. For $19.99, it promises to protect your
system, and it does just that Ė unfortunately thatís all it does, which means it
wonít suit the needs of everyone.

The PlayGear Pocket is a clear case made from thick,
polycarbonate plastic. There are openings on the sides that allow you access to
nearly all of the PSPís features. With the case closed you can plug in the power
adapter as well as headphones. You can also turn the unit on, activate the WiFi
switch and use both shoulder buttons. Itís nice to be able to listen to music
while the case is closed, but since you have to open the case to adjust the
volume and navigate menus, having access to some buttons doesnít do you much
good.

To open the case, you push a latch on the front and lift
the lid just like you would with a glasses case. Inside, youíll find rigid black
foam that is molded to fit the PSP snugly. I noticed that after a while, the
inside of the top lid began to accumulate dust, which was transferred to the PSP
every time I closed the case. It wasn't tons of dust, but it was enough that I
had to wipe down the system fairly often. The case is designed to let you play
the PSP without having to remove it, but the added weight of the case makes it
somewhat uncomfortable to play for long periods of time. Logitech claims that
the lid will help reduce glare from lights and the sun, but it didn't seem to
have a noticeable effect in or outdoors. The case can be opened a full 270
degrees, which allows you to use it as a stand while watching video, which is a
nice feature.

The
PlayGear Pocket has a simple, yet stylish look, complemented by the cut-out foam
in the rear that allows the PSP logo to show. Some creative folks have actually
customized their case by cutting out pictures and putting them between the foam
and the case. This isnít something that is officially supported by Logitech, and
itís probably not a great idea to pull the foam out regularly, but it does look
pretty darn cool.

The PlayGear Pocket from Logitech is a simple, effective
way to protect your $250 investment. It doesnít do anything other than protect
your system, which some people may find limiting, since theyíll have to carry
another case for their games and memory cards, but it does its job of protecting
the PSP quite well.